Significant Prayer

"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." (Luke 11:1 KJV)

Our Lord had a habit of conferring with the Father. He knew that his relationship with God's throne room was vital to his life, ministry and mandate. He simply could not afford to ignore a daily visit with the Father.

He had done it so regularly that the disciples had come to expect it and accept it. In today's passage, they have begun to get the point. Inspiration through example has done its work. They had learned the importance of a personal, daily communication with God.

Perhaps they had never heard anyone pray like Jesus did. Very few of his prayers are recorded for us, but we may conclude that he prayed differently than the formalities of the Synagogue. He prayed personally. He prayed powerfully. He prayed practically.

And as they listened to him, the disciples yearned to talk with God like that. Desire began burning in their souls to earnestly discuss the day's need with God. They yearned to come before his throne with the boldness of a child.

After the Lord had finished his prayer, perhaps the conversation began like this,

The disciples: "You know Lord, we have noticed that you prayers are significantly different than any we have ever heard before."

Jesus: "Well, you can pray significant prayers too. Prayer is simply a conversation with the Father. He wants you to come boldly to him."

The disciples: "Yes, but Lord we don't really know how to pray significant prayers."

Jesus: "Sure you do. It's only a conversation. Talk to the Father like you talk to me, or anyone else. Now, granted it is a different -- significant -- conversation, but simply a conversation just the same."

The disciples: "You know Lord, John taught his followers how to pray. Would you also teach us how to pray?"

I grew up at the knee of a praying mother. Her example of significant conversations with the Father will always be with me. Only the Father knows how many of her neighbors were affected as they listened to her conversation with him before retiring each night. Thank God for this marvelous example!

I have learned that prayer is not a formula that we can memorize and recite on demand. Instead prayer is a conversation with our God and Savior. Each and every conversation with him is significant and individually unique. And our beloved Paul instructs us to make it a continuous conversation.

Dear Father, thank you for the praying example of our Savior and Lord. Truly teach us how to significantly communicate with you daily, continuously. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Pray significantly today,